John mcevoy



WASNINGTQN. D c.

v NAPETERS. PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN MCEVOY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IM PROVEM ENT IN HOSPITAL-KNAPSACKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 34,117, dated January 7, 1862.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it. known that I, JOHN MCEVOY, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Knapsack for the use of Army Surgeons, and which I term a Hospital-Knapsack; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l .is a front view of my invention; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the same, taken in the line a: Fig. 4; Fig. 3, a vertical section of the same, taken in the line 'y y, Fig. 4; and Fig. 4, a horizontal section ot' the same, taken in the line z z, Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention relates to a new and improved knapsack for containing medicines, lint, bandages, splints, and surgical instruments. The invention is designed to be carried by the surgeons servants or attendants during a march or an engagement, and has for its objects durability and economy in construction, lightness, and convenience of arrangement.

The invention consists in having the body of the knapsack formed of wicker-work divided into compartments and covered with leather, prepared cloth, or other suitable water-proof material, as hereinafter shown and described.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct lny invention, I will proceed to describe it.

A represents the body of the knapsack, which is of rectangular form and of such dimensions that it may be carried on the back of the wearer with facility. This body A is of wicker-Work-that is to say, constructed of twigs or osiers, like a basket-and it is provided with a lid a at the top and a door b at one side, the lid and door being both provided with proper fastenings c. The door b closes over three compartments d ef, which are formed by three horizontal partitions g g g, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The upper compartment d maybe used for lint and bandages, the central one e for splints, and the lower 'one f for surgical instruments. The lid a covers a compartment h, of which the upper partition g forms the bottom. The compartment h is subdivided into smaller compartments rl, open at the top to receive vials and metallic cases containing ointments and various medicines. The partition g, which may be of the same material as the exterior portion of the body, serves to greatly stiien and strengthen the latter. V.

The body A is covered with leather, or prepared water-proof cloth B would answer a good purpose. The knapsack may be secured to the back of the wearer by means of a yoke formed of two semicircular bars C O, attached to the upper part of the knapsack and passing over the shoulders, the lower part of the knapsack having a strap D attached, which buckles around the waist. It' desired, however, the device may be strapped to the back in the same way as an ordinary soldiersknapsack.

By having the body A of the knapsack of wicker work, partitioned substantially as shown, and covered with a water-proof cloth or other material, a very light, durable, and economical contrivance is obtained for the purpose. Sheet metal has been used as a material for the body A; but it is comparatively heavy and is liable to be bent. A metal framing has also been used covered with leather;

but that has proved to be heavy and cumbersome.

The herein-described invention is now in practical use, and it is believed is superior to any device of the kind hitherto used.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent as a new article of manufacture, is-

A hospital-knapsack for the use of army surgeons, composed of a body of wicker-work provided with partitions and doors, arranged substantially as described, and covered with leather or any proper water-proof cloth or material, substantially as set forth.

JOHN MCEVOY. Witnesses:

JAMES LAIRD, RICHARDSON GAWLEY. 

